? For those who travel a lot

Re: ? For those who travel a lot

• snicksnack member

  January 2013

  It is up to you if you want to pump in the middle of the night but I will be honest if you don't you may be in pain, DH and I went away overnight for our birthdays when DD was 6 weeks old and I opted to sleep and while I LOVED the sleep my chest was in pain the next morning and it took about 24 hours for the pain to go away.  Now keep in mind I had oversupply and I am sure that did not help.  When I travel I pump and put it in a fridge and then into my soft carrier when I am going home.  Now because I had oversupply I would have gotten around 50 ounces or so in 30 hours at 7 weeks so I would not have brought all of that home but rather pump and dump some of it just because of the logistics and not really needing that much milk.  I aways take a manaual pump with me on trips to pump and dump in bathrooms, I have a medela harmony, I know some women use their electric pumps all the time but I found it to be a pain when I am in an airpor, car, etc. When I am in the hotel or work place I use my electric pump Good Luck

  

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• cecilyandgautam member

  January 2013

  Freshly pumped milk can safely be stored in a cooler with an ice pack for up to 24 hours - so take a few ice packs with you!

  Regarding where to pump during the interview, will you have a rental car you can pump in just before you go in? I'd recommend taking your nursing cover either way.

  Is this potential employer generally family friendly? If you ask HR ahead of time for the best place to pump before your interview, they may be happy to accommodate you.  A lady on my BFing-support listserve did this for her interview with Capital One and had a great experience. 

  If you can pump in the middle of the night, that's great but if you don't struggle with supply issues, I'd probably just sleep while I can

  Good luck! 

  

  
  

  
  

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• azuremama

  January 2013

  How long will your interview be?  Personally, if you can get away with not pumping during the interview, that's what I'd do, even if it meant pumping more often later on.  But if it's all day, you probably can't avoid having to take a break.  I would let them know ahead of time so they can build in a break or two for you.

  Make sure your hotel has a fridge.  Take batteries for your pump and a lot of ziplocs.  Once you're past security, you can buy a cup or two of ice and put it in ziplocs to keep things cold.  Take a cooler bag with you to store everything.  I found it easier to store the milk in storage bags because they lay flat.  I'd put the storage bags inside ziplocs in case of leaks.  I always carried milk on.

  I did not get up at night to pump, but I didn't travel until the kids were older, so it wasn't as urgent.  It's probably best if you do, but I wouldn't blame you if you didn't!  Maybe just pump last thing before bed and first thing in the morning.

  When I travelled, I just tried to squeeze in as many sessions as I could.  You're not going to be gone for too long, so I wouldn't worry about it too much, though.  If you have your pump parts all put together and ready to go, it saves some time, so you can squeeze a pump session into a 15 minute or less break.  Even if you pump for 5 minutes, it'll relieve pressure and help keep your supply up.

  If you take a jacket or a nursing cover, you can pump in a car if you have to.

  Good luck!

  

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• 2chatter member

  January 2013

  TSA guidelines require that your ice packs be partially frozen.  So even on the way there throw them in the freezer the night before. 

  I pumped in the middle of the night while I travelled to avoid supply issues.

  I also pumped on the plane under a blanket.  You can pump anywhere and cover up - it just takes some coordination and deciding not to be self conscious about it (which I was before I did it, not so much after). 

  

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• lrn327 member

  January 2013

  We've definitely had candidates that have needed to pump before so if you think they're at all receptive then you should ask.  I'd also wake up in the night to pump just to stay on the similar schedule.  Good luck with your interview!
  

  

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• sarahrusty member

  January 2013

  Thanks, everyone for the advice and encouraging words. The interview will be all day so I'll have to pump at least once. I'm going to ask if they have a place or at least ask for 1520 mins at lunch time to take care if business. They know I have a LO so I think they'll be fine with it!

  

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